'Be Seated With the Stars' as 9-Time Emmy Winner Al Roker Returns to Cleveland to Host Chairs That Care Benefit

'Be Seated With the Stars' as 9-Time Emmy Winner Al Roker Returns to Cleveland to Host Chairs That Care Benefit

Children's Museum of Cleveland presents 5th annual gala and auction

CLEVELAND, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- America's weatherman Al Roker, from NBC's "Today" show will return to Cleveland to host the Fifth Annual Chairs That Care Benefit to support the Children's Museum of Cleveland.

The museum's premier event will be Saturday, Oct. 1, 2005, at Sammy's at Legacy Village, 25001 Cedar Road in Lyndhurst, Ohio. The benefit allows attendees the unique opportunity to bid on upholstered chairs from Ethan Allen Kids that have been hand-decorated by celebrities. This year's impressive lineup includes actress Jamie Lee Curtis, late-night superstar Jay Leno, NASCAR Interstate Battery driver Bobby Labonte, Pixar Animators and more.

Funds raised from the event go directly to support general operations and educational programming of The Children's Museum of Cleveland, the best place in Cleveland to spend a day with a child.

The evening begins with a VIP party at 6 p.m. at Contessa Gallery with Al Roker (limited to 50 people). A cocktail reception follows at 7, with a sensational dinner next at 8. Guests will also enjoy a silent auction and music by Cleveland's premier jazz band One Wish.

During the live auction, Al Roker, a nine-time Emmy Award-winner, will walk the room along with WKYC's Mark Nolan, Cleveland's premier weatherman, encouraging guests to bid on their favorite celebrity's chair. "Al Roker is an incredible friend to the Children's Museum, and his presence electrifies the room," said Kim Singerman, co-chairperson of the Chairs That Care Committee.

Winning bids on chairs average $2,500 but some have gone as high as $7,000. In 2003, a chair decorated by Cavaliers sensation Lebron James sold for $6,000.

Ticket Prices: Individual Patrons (including the VIP party with Al Roker) -- $250 per person; Individual Patrons -- $150 per person; Corporate Tables of 10 people (including a special program page) -- $3,000; Individual Sponsored Table of 10 people -- $1,500. All contributions to this event are tax-deductible. Registration deadline is Sept. 23, 2005. For reservations for the Chairs That Care Benefit, call Cara Berg at 216-781-9000 ext.111. Guests can also register and get more information at the museum's Web site: www.ClevelandChildrensMuseum.org.

Sponsors-The Children's Museum of Cleveland's "Chairs That Care" event is made possible by the generous support of Ethan Allen Home Interiors, WKYC-TV3, The Wave 107.3 FM, FedEx and Print One Digital.

Events in each of the previous four years have raised more than $200,000 for the Children's Museum of Cleveland to support its general operations. "This event is a key part of the museum's operating budget and has become a tremendous rallying point for our supporters, board and staff," said Rick Maicki, president of the Board.

The Children's Museum is the only institution in Cleveland completely dedicated to the overall development of young children through multicultural programming. In its 19th year of operation, the museum continues in its mission to provide exhibits and programs that enhance child development -- a place where young children discover the world and learn through play!

The Children's Museum of Cleveland is located at 10730 Euclid Ave. in University Circle. The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $6 for children and adults ages 1 to 101. Infants less than a year old and members enter free. For more information about the museum call (216) 791-7114 or visit www.ClevelandChildrensMuseum.org.

Source: The Children's Museum of Cleveland

CONTACT: Michael Campanelli, +1-216-991-7931, or Kim Singerman,
+1-216-570-6661, or Leland Merk, +1-216-791-7114 ext. 39, all of The Children's
Museum of Cleveland

Web site: http://www.clevelandchildrensmuseum.org/

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